Dharamshala is a beautiful city nestled in the hilly mountains of Himachal Pradesh. It is well-known for hosting the residence of the very famous preacher Dalai Lama and other high Tibetan monks. The city boasts of picturesque monasteries, lakes, stunning backdrop of the Himalayas and the beautiful road passes. It is every traveller’s dream to visit this holiday destination once in a lifetime. Dharamshala is definitely a place to spend 3 to 4 days to fully explore and enjoy the city. For the comfortable accommodation, there are a variety of
hotels in Dharamshala listed on Goibibo app as well as the website.
Goibibo puts forth a series of hotels that provide both luxe experience and quick hospitality. Some of the popular
4-star hotels Dharamshala are
Hotel Inclover Dharamshala, White Ridge Hotel, Hotel Dewan Palace, and Quartz Himalayan Brothers.
Some of the popular
3 star hotels in Dharamshala you would like to consider are
Imperial Clarks Inn, Dhauladhar Heights Dharamshala, Hotel Centre Point, WelcomHeritage Grace Hotel, Hotel Dharamshala Paradise, and The Divine Hima. You can read the reviews and ratings of the hotels before booking one. This will help you make a wise and quick decision on the basis of your demands.
Resorts are getting trendy nowadays with multitudes of facilities. This holiday retreats boast of swimming pool, play areas for children, dining, games and a lot more. Some of the popular
resorts in Dharamshala are
Sterling Dhramashala, Highland Village Resort, Club Mahindra Dharamshala, and
The Citadel Resorts.
Some of the well-known
homestays in Dharamshala are Varada Homestay, Bhardwaj Homestay, Raadballi Retreat, Sri Ram Hillside Stay, Hira Niwas and more.
With a strong Buddhist influence, this city magnetizes tourists with its warm glitters. Among the places to visit in the city are Namgyal Monastery, Tsuglagkhang Complex, The Tibet Museum, St. John Church,
Dal Lake, Gyuto Monastery, Pulga Village, and more. The city is covered with dense deodar forests and long trekking trails. You can undertake an exhilarating trek from Dharamshala through Mcleodganj to the mountains of Triund. Kareri River Trek and Guna Devi Temple Trek are other popular treks but a little far from Dharamshala. Without no doubt, pollution-free air, pleasant weather, and green landscapes are enough to hypnotize the travelers of Dharamshala.
To make your trip to this city more memorable, choose the best accommodations from Goibibo app while benefiting your pocket with awesome discounts. Do remember to read customer reviews and ratings before finalising the hotel of your choice.
Dharamsala, popularly known as the monastery of Dalai Lama, is the spot of most religious activities, especially for Tibetans. It is a city within the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Also, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium of Dharamshala is a good spot for cricket enthusiasts. The city broadly comprises two parts: the upper part and the lower part. The former is the historical center with regions like Mcleodganj, and the latter is a commercial area full of markets like Kotwali Bazaar.
The prime region of the city is abundant with tiny shops exhibiting well-known arts and crafts and a number of the hotels in Dharamshala. The famous religious spots of Dharamshala are Chamunda Devi Temple (one of the Shakti Peeth across the country), Kunal Pathri Temple, Indra Nag Temple, and the Tibetan Gyuto Monastery. Visiting Dal Lake in Dharamsala is another refreshing moment. Deodars surround the lake, and a Shiva temple is nearby. The Kangra Art Museum portrays the admirable art and craft of the city. Besides the cultural and religious aspects, there's a patriotic side in the form of the Dharamsala War Memorial honoring the brave soldiers who died in 1947-48, 1962, 1965, and 1971. The memorial is located right at the entry site of the city.
Things to do in Dharamshala
Paragliding is a great adventure to perform in the hills of Dharamshala. The popular spots for paragliding are Indrunag and Bir Billing. Various travel agencies provide this service.
Trekking through the scenic Dharamshala is a must-do activity during the tour. The spots for trekking are Triund Hill, Lahesh Cave Trek, and Bhagsu Nag. The Triund Hill is popularly known as the 'Crown Jewel of Dharamshala, and the trek provides a view through the Dhauladhar mountains and the Kangra valley.
Camping among the beauties of deodars and the hills is a mesmerizing experience in Dharamshala, especially on the route between Dharamshala and McLeodGanj. The starry sky and the cold blowing air are beautiful feelings. The best spots for camping are
Triund Valley,
Billing Valley, and
Snow Monk Camp. Dharamshala hotels providing camping facilities are Himalaya Quest camp and Café, Terrestrial Adventure Camps, and Camp Dharamshala.
Meditation in the Buddhist heritage, Gyuto monastery is a must-to-do activity in Dharamshala. The beauty and quietness of the place have the capability of calming most chaotic beings. The monastery is present on the Palampur-Dharamshala road, nine kilometers far from the city.
The majestic view of Bhagsu Waterfall in Bhagsunag village is another memorable moment. It is located between the gaps of two mountain ranges and is about a 20-minute hike from Bhagsu Nag Temple. The sound of the waterfall in a serene landscape full of greenery and clear water provides a calming experience to carry with oneself from Dharamshala.
The tea plantations alongside the Dharamsala-McLeod Ganj Road would catch everyone's attention. The aroma and green landscape would keep one spell-bound.
Hotels in Dharamshala
The city is one of the best spots for spending one's vacation. The next thing is about the staying part for which the Dharamshala hotels come in wide ranges of budget and amenities. Hotels in Dharamshala are luxury hotels, boutique hotels, and cheap hotels. Travelers can choose any of them to suit their purpose, needs, and budget. Some of the hotels are even favorable for couples.
Best Luxury Hotels in Dharamshala
Luxury hotels in Dharamshala provide world-class facilities like a spa, steam and sauna, conference room, lawn, outdoor furniture, and seating area. For safety and hygiene, hotels have installed CCTV, 24-hour security, in-room safe, sanitizers, smoke detectors, safety kits in rooms, fire extinguishers, hair nets, masks, face shields, dispensers for disinfectants, and contactless room service. Other services include thermal screening, printer, bar, and housekeeping. Also, the hotels comprise restaurants, dining areas, and coffee shops. The rooms are well-furnished with polished interiors. Some popular luxury hotels in Dharamshala are
juSTa Birding,
Mandara Tree Villa,
Eliot Exotica, and
The Divine Hima.
Best Boutique Hotels in Dharamshala
Boutique hotels in Dharamshala are another option for a memorable stay on a moderate budget. They provide world-class services like spas, smoking rooms, contactless check-ins, intercom, yoga, and CCTV. Hotels are small and best for groups requiring separate space for meetings and discussions. They also have provisions for booking cycling, tours, and treks in the city. The best part about boutique hotels is that they are theme based and impart distinct vibes. Some of the most popular hotels are
Naddi Boutique Hotel,
Hotel Mount Range,
Hotel Varuni McLeodganj, and
Hotel Divyansh.
Best Cheap Hotels in Dharamshala
Hotels in Dharamshala also come in an affordable range.
Budget hotels in Dharamshala are well-rated for remarkable services like indoor entertainment, vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, doctors-on-call, sanitizers, CCTV, and parking at a budget price. Although the facilities provided by these hotels are not world-class still, they provide sufficient facilities for a convenient stay that everyone can afford. In higher budget ranges, the hotels come with intercom, outdoor sports, free parking, balcony, terrace, and laundry services. Dharamshala hotels provide good options in high-rated cheap hotels, like
Hotel Greenwoods,
Hotel Incredible, and
Hotel Honey and Spice.
Best Hotels in Dharamshala for Couples
Numerous hotels in Dharamshala are couple friendly. Hotels allow both married and unmarried couples to stay without worries. They need to behave well and maintain the dignity of the hotel. They offer private bookings and allow couples with local IDs. Another important thing is to check the location of hotels as those located near the beautiful views of the city and those providing the beautiful valleys would provide a better ambiance. Some well-known hotels in Dharamshala are
Ekant Niwas,
Surbhi Guest House,
White Water Inn, and
Great Himalayan resorts.
Popular Areas to Stay in Dharamshala
Some most popular areas to stay in Dharamshala are
Mcleod Ganj and Naddi village. Mcleod Ganj is present on the outskirts of Dharamshala city in the Kangra district. It is popularly known as Little Lhasa because it is home to many Tibetans who shifted here during China's invasion of their indigenous place. It is also a spiritual hub and pilgrimage for Buddhists. People from all over the globe come here for spiritual activities, adventure, excursions, photography, etc. Some Dharamshala hotels in Mcleod Ganj are
The Hosteller Mcleodganj Mini and
Hotel Holiday Hill.
Naddi is a beautiful place in Dharamshala, well-known for trekking. It is full of spectacular sunset and valley views. The village is a serene spot, away from the hustle of cities and into the lap of nature. A three-month-long fair organized in the Naddi village attracts numerous tourists. Some Dharamshala hotels in Naddi village are
Naddi Boutique Hotel and
Mountain Face Naddi.
Most Offbeat Places to Stay in Dharamshala
Spending a day in Kangra Valley is a remarkable experience; exploring the Masroor Rock, Indo-Aryan School of Architecture, and Norbulingka throughout the day, one views the exotic beauty of Dharamshala. Furthermore, the Kangra Valley is also the best spot for insight into the culture of the region, ranging from traditional food: Thukpa, Fried Momos, Shakshuka, Tibetan Noodles, and Kimbap, and the traditional outfit, Patto, and dance forms like Lalharhi, Kanika, Horn Dance, Deo Khel, and Hulki Dance. Besides this, rural fairs like the Fair of Phagli are well-known for preserving the culture and indigenous beliefs of the Dharamshala. Some hotels in Dharamshala near Kangra valley are
Hotel Abhi Residency and
Oasis Hotel.
A trip to Kangra Fort, built by the Kangra family under the Katoch Dynasty makes one travel into the historical city as it is one of the oldest forts in India and the largest fort in the Himalayas. The fort comprises spectacular architecture, temples, and royal chambers built during the Mughal and British periods. Some hotels in Dharamshala near Kangra fort are
Hotel The Grand Raj and
Hotel Clarks Inn Suites.
Best Time to Visit Dharamshala
Dharamshala is the best to visit in all seasons. This feature makes it a favorite spot for tourists all over the world. One can plan to visit the city in February or March to celebrate the Buddhist Losar festival. Summers and springs are best for trekking and paragliding as the flowers blossom in the valley, and the hills give a colorful view. In summers, the weather is pleasant and a good escape from burning plains. The rainy seasons are best for couples when the city compels one to indulge in the romance of rains. In winter, the city is full of snow, and the hilly area is even more beautiful. A lot of woolens are required to protect from distressing winds.
Dharamshala turns out to be worth visiting for gaining a serene experience in this culturally and historically rich city located among the valleys and hills.